An embargo on issuing licences to fell larch has been introduced by Forestry Commission as part of the fight against the spread of ramorum disease. This is the second year such an embargo has been put in place. Over the winter months, once the trees have dropped their needles, the disease’s symptoms cannot be identified and it is impossible to ascertain whether a tree is infected. image expired

In a statement made yesterday, the Forestry Commission Wales announced the embargo will remain in place until 31st May. Next spring, when the trees have grown new needles and infected larches can be identified, the commission said biosecurity measures can resume to avoid spread of the disease.

Richard Siddons, Head of Grants and Regulations at Forestry Commission Wales, said: “Having considered several options, we decided to reintroduce the temporary embargo on issuing felling licences, where larch species are a component, during the winter. This approach will enable us to establish whether the standing timber is infected, and avoid the risk of the unintentional spread of this serious tree disease.

“Last year, woodland owners and managers responded well to the first embargo and we only received a handful of applications involving larch during that time. I would like to thank them for their co-operation and assure them that we will process their application as quickly as possible once we can visit the site and establish whether the standing timber is infected with ramorum disease.”

First identified in a in a viburnum plant in a garden centre in West Sussex in 2002, ramorum  has since been discovered to infect a wide range of plants and trees. The disease can affect over 150 species of trees and plants.

Meanwhile, The Woodland Trust, working with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Cymru, has announced it will stage a farm event which demonstrates the opportunities for tree planting on farms, using funding available through the Glastir woodlands grant scheme and direct support from the Trust itself.

The event, which will include all aspects of woodland creation as well as a tree planting demonstration, will take place at Cefn Maesoglan, Llangaffo, from 11am on Wednesday 19th.